Good Thing I Love My Kitchen

So I am in full cooking mode. Our annual holiday party is next Saturday and for some unknown reason I still cook all of the food. It's a lot of food (my menu has 23 appetizers and 7 desserts) and it takes a lot of time to prepare. Especially since we usually have over 200 people in attendance. (They tell me they come for the food. So that's why I am still cooking.) Although if I cooked less food there is a chance less people might come which would mean I could cook less food. Not sure this makes sense.

​A few years ago I created an excel spreadsheet that outlines exactly what I need to do (and on which day) for the entire two weeks prior to the party. It's the color-coded document in the pictures that is plastered all over my kitchen. The schedule makes the cooking so much less stressful because I know exactly what I need to get done to stay on schedule.

I made a few changes this year to the menu (four new appetizers and two new desserts). I still might cut two or three of the appetizers as I kind of don't think I need so many different options. Twenty-three appetizers seems pretty ridiculous. 

I forgot to mention that I do have a wonderful crew of helpers that come on Saturday to cook and serve all of the food I have prepared. I started this many years ago so I could actually enjoy the party! They are wonderful.

Oh wait. I also forgot to mention we are hosting (with another couple) our annual dinner club this weekend. We have 17 coming for dinner and it is one of my favorite events all year. The good news? I am not cooking! The bad news? I will be at the flower mart early Friday morning. Early, like before 6:00am early. That's early. Well, not on the east coast. It's 9:00 am for all of you.

In the meantime I am heading back to my kitchen. This week I need to accomplish all of the yellow items on the list! Wish me luck. Cuz I think I am already a bit behind schedule. Ugh.